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NYCFC and Portland advance in the 2018 MLS playoffs

November 1, 2018by US Soccer Players

The soccer news starts with the knockout round of the 2018 MLS playoffs. NYCFC beat Philadelphia 3-1 at Yankee Stadium to advance to the semifinals. Ismael Tajouri put NYCFC up in the 10th minute with David Villa doubling the lead in the 26th. Maxi Moralez scored NYCFC's third goal in the 78th. Cory Burke pulled a goal back for the Union in the 83rd minute.

"We tried to play, we made mistakes, we got punished by a good team," Philadelphia coach Jim Curtin said. "That's the reality of things, but full credit to my players, I'm really proud of the season that they all had, sticking together. It doesn't end the way we wanted to and the way we hoped to, but I think the club has shown now that we have an identity of good young American players, of experienced veterans that can play with anybody in this league, home and away. A cohesive group and a group that isn't scared of anybody.”

In the Western Conference, Portland knocked FC Dallas out 2-1 on the road. Diego Valeri scored for Portland in the 23rd. The Timbers went a man down in the 58th with a red card to Larrys Mabiala. Valeri scored again in the 71st. Matt Hedges pulled a goal back for Dallas four minutes into stoppage time.

"It was an even game until the second goal," Valeri said. "Actually, after our red card they came really hard and they attacked very well, putting in a lot of crosses, forcing us to be deep on the field. The condition of the field wasn't the best, and it was an ugly game. Very hard to play and clear, but we were more efficient."

Moving to Germany's DFB Pokal, Christian Pulisic had a big game for Borussia Dortmund in their 3-2 extra time home win over Union Berlin. Pulisic scored in the 40th minute with Union Berlin equalizing in the 63rd. Pulisic assisted on Maxi Philipp's goal in the 73rd with Union Berlin equalizing in the 88th. With the game in extra time, Pulisic was fouled in the box in the 118th minute with Union Berlin's Marvin Friedrich seeing red. Marco Reus converted the penalty in the 120th minute.

It was clear to me before the penalty: if I scored it, we were probably through to the next round," Reus said. "In that sense, it's a nice situation to score a penalty and progress to the next round, especially at home. In the end we fulfilled our task. We're through and that's what counts. It wasn't our best game, we know that. Of course, as Borussia Dortmund we want to beat Union Berlin in 90 minutes. For us it was clear that they would be unpleasant to face. You could see today they're very effective and well organised. You have days like that in football. But when you come out on top, everything's fine.

Emerson Hyndman subbed on in stoppage time for Hibernian's 0-0 draw at Hearts in the Scottish Premier League. Hibs played a man down from the 65th with a red card to Florian Kamberi. Mix Diskerud subbed out in the 79th minute for Ulsan's 2-1 home win over Suwon Bluewings in the Korean FA Cup semifinals. Richard Windbichler put Ulsan up in the 6th minute with Junior Negrao scoring in the 32nd. Suwon Bluewings pulled a goal back in the 56th. Ulsan advances to play Daegu FC in the two-legged final on December 5 at home and the 9 away.

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